Method and apparatus for positioning, spacing and securement of studs within top and bottom framing plates

ABSTRACT

An apparatus for positioning, spacing and securement of studs along a length of upper and lower framing plates. A body has first and second ribs, with the ribs being spaced such that the distance there between equals the approximate depth of the studs. A positioning bridge extends from the ribs and includes a stud spacing locator on the bridge. A method us use of the apparatus to build a wall is also disclosed.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The invention relates to an apparatus, and method of using same, for accurate layout of “studs” used to form wall frames between top and bottom “plates” for the construction of buildings, such as houses or the like.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

In the construction of frame work in the building of houses, apartments, commercial buildings and the like, lower and upper members are typically required to be secured together. These members typically are made of 4″ wide by×1.5″ deep (hereinafter “depth”) wood, wood-containing, or similar “planks” having varying lengths, such as 10 to 15 feet, or longer. When these planks are firmly secured together through spaced and similarly sized “studs”, at the work sight, or in a pre-fabrication process, they are later nailed, bolted or otherwise firmly secured to the foundation of the building as a wall framework. One of the planks, the “bottom” plank will then serve as the lower frame member which, in turn, will be secured to the building foundation by known means. If the framework is for a second or higher story of the building, the lower plank forming the wall will be secured to the particular floor of the building.

For quite some time, carpenters, general contractors, masonry contractors and do-it-yourselfers and others have used a device sometimes commonly referred to as a “framing square” FS (see prior art FIG. 1) in determining and locating the spacing required for placement of studs across the length of the planks which will be secured to the upper and lower plates forming the walls to be then fastened to the foundation or floor for the particular building. Actually shaped like an “L” instead of a square, a framing square is usually made of aluminum or other metal. It has a long arm LA that forms a right angle with a second or shorter arm SA. The longer aim LA is typically used to measure right angles, as well as provide on its surface tables and scales commonly used by carpenters in a wide range of projects. Anyone involved in a building project or a project that requires ready access to tables and scales has found a framing square tremendously helpful in many aspects of calculating angles, cuts, and pitches. The framing square is so-called by many because it has been an essential tool in all framing projects, including stair, roof, and picture framing, as well as in the positioning of stud locations for securing planks together to folin plates. The narrower or short arm SA, called the tongue, is typically 1.5 inches (3.81 cm) wide. The wider or long arm LA is referred to as the blade and is usually 2 inches (5.08 cm) wide. A standard framing square typically measures 24 inches (60.96 cm) long by 16 inches (40.64 cm) long. There are variations, however, and both longer and shorter tools are available.

Although framing squares are believed to have been around for centuries, the first reference to their size was in the 19th century when the size was described as 18 inches (45.73 cm) by 12 inches (30.48 cm).

Framing squares usually have three scales on them: diagonal, board foot, and octagonal. More modern framing squares also have degree conversion charts for a variety of pitches and their fractional counterparts. There is also usually a table of numbers called the rafter table on the face of the square. This enables a carpenter to quickly calculate cutting angles and construction factors based on the Pythagorean theorem.

The use of a framing square in the construction of wood-containing frameworks for buildings in aligning upper and lower planks, as described, poses some difficulties and expenditure of considerable time. For example, use of a typical framing square to locate the exact placement of spaced studs, along the length of planks to be secured to one another and the foundation or floor requires that the space between the desired position for the studs be located and marked separately and incrementally for each stud location.

The present invention addresses the problems set forth above.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The present invention provides an apparatus for positioning, spacing and securement of studs along the length of upper and lower framing plates. In a preferred embodiment, the apparatus includes a body, with first and second elongated rib members, each rib member having inner walls and first and second ends and upper and lower faces. The rib members are spaced from one another such that the distance between the rib members equals the depth of the studs to be affixed along the length of the framing plates. A positioning bridge is provided which has inner and outer faces which extend between the rib members and are attached to or extend from each rib member at the first respective ends of the rib members and along the inner face of the positioning bridge. A stud spacing locator is defined on the positioning bridge, for purposes of identifying the precise location for each stud along the length of the plate members.

In the actual use of the device for the formation of a wall, each of the two planks which will form the upper and lower portions of the wall are laid parallel to one another. A measuring tape or similar device is used to mark, such as by pencil or pen, the desired distance between each stud which is to be located and affixed along the length of the parallel planks. An end of the tape is placed at one end of the planks and extended across the upper faces of the planks. If it is desired that studs be placed at 16 inch intervals, or other, intervals along the planks, the carpenter or other user of the device then incrementally marks such distances along the length of the planks. Thereafter, the device is placed on the upper faces of the planks and the stud spacing locator is aligned with the mark made on the plank for indicating the spacing desired between each plank. After alignment of the device in such fashion, the carpenter or other user of the device then uses a pencil or pen to draw lines alone the respective inner walls of the rib members. These lines now represent the exact position for placement of the respective planks. This procedure is repeated, as necessary, all along the length of the planks.

The apparatus of the present invention may also be used to properly locate end planks for the wall.

The apparatus may be formed using any number of materials, such as wood, aluminum, steel, plastic, or the like. It may be formed using several pieces secured one to another, or the component parts may simply be molded, forged or extruded in known fashion such that the final apparatus is in one complete piece.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 (prior art) is a perspective view of a typical prior art framing square as it is used in three steps for marking the positioning of studs along a plank.

FIG. 2 is a perspective view of a preferred embodiment of the present invention.

FIGS. 3A and 3B are sequential views, illustrating positioning of a preferred design of the device by a carpenter for marking of the precise location for each stud along the length of upper and lower planks to form a wall section.

FIGS. 4A and 4B are views, looking downwardly, illustrating the use of the device for the location of an end stud to a plank.

FIGS. 5A and 5B are perspective views illustrating the formation of a wall frame resulting from the use of the device.

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

Now, with first reference to FIG. 1 (prior art), there is shown a typical prior art framing square FS with long and short arms LA and SA, respectively. The framing square FS was used in the past to form walls for a building by first aligning in side-by-side relationship upper and lower planks 10A and 10B. FIG. 1 (prior art) illustrates the usage of the framing square FS in the locating and positioning of studs (not shown) along the length of the planks 10A and 10B. As shown in “STEP 1”, a measuring tape MT is first placed on one of the planks, such as 10B, with the end MT-1 of the tape MT being placed at one end of the plank 10B. A pen or pencil marker M is then used by the carpenter (not shown) to place marks M-1, M-2, etc. along the length of the plank 10B, at desired intervals (such as shown, every 16″). Next, as shown in FIG. 1, STEP 2, the prior art framing square FS is placed on the planks 10A, 10B, such that the long arm LA thereof extends horizontally along the plank 10B and the short aim SA extends vertically on the planks 10B and 10A. The framing square contains markings, in inches, along the length of the arm LA. Assuming that the planks to be used to provide the wall structure have a depth X of 3″, the aim LA is first placed on the first marking M-1 on the plank 10B and aligned with the 2″ indication on the arm LA. Marks A and B are then made using the marker M at both the 1″ and 3″ indicators on the long arm LA. The distance between the marks A and B now represent the depth X of the planks 10A and 10B. Finally, as shown in Step 3 of FIG. 1, the framing square FS is moved such that the short arm SA is aligned with the 1″ mark A and the marker M is placed along the edge of the short arm SA and a continuous line is drawn across the planks 10A, 10B, extending from the line A. The framing square FS then is moved so that the edge of the short arm SA is aligned with mark B and a similar line is made on the planks which connect with the mark B. These steps are repeated along the length of the plank, as necessary. In this way, the distance between mark lines A and B represent the depth of the planks as well as their respective location for affixation throughout the length of the planks 10A, 10B.

As will be appreciated, this prior art procedure, and the use of the framing square in this manner are both cumbersome and time consuming.

Referring to FIG. 2, there is shown the apparatus 100 of the present invention, in the preferred mode. The apparatus 100 has a body 101 which includes a first rib member 102 having an inner smooth inner wall 102A and a like outer wall 102A′. The rib member 102 also has first and second ends 102B and 102C, respectively. The first end 102B extends to or is connected to a positioning bridge 104, which secures the rib member 102 at its first end 102B to a second rib member 103, parallel to the member 102. Thus, the positioning bridge 104 is at a right angle relative to the rib members 102 and 103. The positioning bridge 104 also has an inner face 104A receiving the first ends 103B and 102B such that the rib members 102 and 103 extend thereto such that there are face sections 104′ and 104″ on each side of the members 102, 103.′ As described below, in use of the apparatus 100, the face section 104″ may be placed, for example, along the edge IOBBB of the lower plank 10B, such that the apparatus may be easily glided or moved from location to location along the planks 10A and 10B The second rib member has an inner smooth wall 103A extending its approximate length toward the second end 103C of the member 103 as well as a similar outer wall 103A′. A stud spacing locator 105 is defined on the inner face 104A of the bridge 104. As shown in FIG. 2, the stud spacing locator 105 consists of two opposing outwardly extending pyramid or triangle sections 105A and 105B, forming a gap 105C there between. The gap 105C is precisely half the distance between the respective inner walls 102A and 103A on the rib members 102 and 103. In use, the apparatus is moved to the first mark M1 and the gap 105C placed exactly over the mark M1. Next, the carpenter or other operator using the apparatus 11 uses a marker M to draw spacing lines SL1 and SL2 along the inner walls 103A and 102A, respectively. These lines SL1 and SL2 represent the exact area and location for placement and affixation of a stud, such as 11, 12 or 13, as shown in FIG. 5, and 14 and 15, as shown in FIG. 5A. After the first lines SL1 and SL2 are drawn, the apparatus is then moved to subsequent marked positions M2 and M3, etc. along the length of the plank 10B. Each of the rib members 102 and 103 have a width W, each of which preferably is 1.5 inches. Furthermore, the width or distance WI between the inner wall 102A and inner wall 103A is preferably 1.5 inches. Thus these three widths must correspond to the desired stud depth for the planks 10A and 10B.

OPERATION

As shown in FIGS. 2, 3A and 3B, when it is desired to mark the planks 10A and 10B using the apparatus 100 of the present invention, the planks 10A, 10B are placed side by side, as shown in FIG. 3A. One end MT1 of a measuring tape MT is placed at an end of one of the plates, such as lower plate 10B, and a marker M is used to place a mark at pre-determined intervals, such as every 16″ along the length of the plank 10B, to provide reference marks M1, M2 M3, and the like. Thereafter, the tape MT is removed and the apparatus 100 placed onto the upper face IOBB such that the positioning bridge inner face portion 104″ meets the edge IOBBB, as shown in FIG. 3B. The apparatus is moved along the upper face IOBB until the first mark M1 is seen precisely within gap 105C. Thereafter, a marker, such as M, is used by the carpenter or other operator of the apparatus 100 to draw lines at the inner walls 103A and 102A and parallel thereto. It is within the area of these lines SL1 and SL2 (FIG. 3B) that a stud, such as 11, 12, etc. will be located and later affixed to the planks 10A and 10B. After the lines SL1 and SL2 are drawn, the apparatus is moved along the planks 10A and 10B to the subsequent marks, M2, M3, etc., and the steps repeated as necessary, for locating and affixing additional planks, as shown in FIGS. 5 and 5A.

The apparatus 100 may also be used to identify proper locations for end studs, such as stud 11 (FIG. 5). Now referring to FIGS. 4A and 4B, when it is desired to use the apparatus 100 to identify locations for studs for an end plank, such as 11, the apparatus 100 is placed over one end of, for example, an upper plank 10A, as shown in FIG. 4A, with the bridge face member 104″ along the outer wall of the plank 11. Lines 50, 51 and 52 are drawn parallel to the inner walls 102A, 103A and the outer wall 102A′, respectively. It is these lines 50, 51 and 52, along with the upper edge 53 of the plank, such as 11, which define the areas 54 and 55 which define the location for securing planks (not shown) to an end plank.

While the foregoing is directed to the preferred embodiment of the present invention, other and further embodiments of the invention may be devised without departing from the basic scope thereof, and the scope thereof is determined by the claims which follow 

What is desired to be claimed and secured by Letters Patent is: 1) Apparatus for positioning, spacing and securement of studs along a length of upper and lower framing plates, said apparatus comprising: (a) a body; (b) first and second elongated rib members of a given equal width, each rib member having an inner wall and an outer wall, first and second opposing ends and a face member extending vertically and across each said rib members at the first ends of said rib members, said rib members being spaced from one another such that the distance between the inner walls of said rib members equals approximately the depth of the studs to be affixed along said length of said framing plates; (c) a positioning bridge having inner and outer faces and extending between said rib members and positioned relative to each said rib member at the first respective ends of each rib member and along the inner face of the positioning bridge; and (d) a stud spacing locator on said positioning bridge. 2) The apparatus of claim 1 wherein the stud spacing locator is a gap between plural pyramid-configured members on the positioning bridge. 3) The apparatus of claim 1 wherein the spacing locator extends outwardly of said inner face and between said rib members and into the stud affixation receptacle. 4) apparatus of claim 1 wherein said positioning bridge further comprises a portion along the inner wall and below the lower faces of each of the elongated rib members to form there between a smooth surface for sliding the apparatus along the length of a plank. 5) A method for positioning, spacing and securement of studs along a length of upper and lower framing plates, said method comprising the steps of: (a) placing first and second planks side-by-side; (b) affixing onto at least one of the planks at least one mark indicating the distance between studs to later be positioned and affixed to said planks; (c) placing vertically across said planks an apparatus, said apparatus comprising: (d) a body; (e) first and second elongated rib members of a given equal width, each rib member having an inner wall and an outer wall, first and second opposing ends and a face member extending vertically and across each said rib members at the first ends of said rib members, said rib members being spaced from one another such that the distance between the inner walls of said rib members equals approximately the depth of the studs to be affixed along said length of said framing plates; (f) a positioning bridge having inner and outer faces and extending between said rib members and positioned relative to each said rib member at the first respective ends of each rib member and along the inner face of the positioning bridge; and (g) a stud spacing locator on said positioning bridge; (h) orienting said positioning bridge along said plank such that the stud spacing locator is aligned with a given mark; (i) using a marker to provide a line along each of said outer walls of said ribs; and (j) moving the apparatus along the length of said planks and repeating steps 3 and 4, as continuously necessary for the number of studs to be located and affixed to each said plank. 